“A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man” (1 Timothy 5:9)

We live under grace.  What is important is to have firm boundaries in place.  There are principles that must govern every time and place.  It is not to be so hard-pressed that you absolutely will not help someone who does not fulfill every nuance of what is said, but that you also do not stop doing what you are able to do.  The church should help those who need to be helped and not help those who can either help themselves or should be helped by their family.

Lord, our contemporary culture gives handouts to everyone and the church is expected to tell everyone that everything is good and right.  We are called evil if we draw a line.  Help me through all this nonsense to live prudently and by the lines You have drawn.  Guide me to see that only in You is there wholeness.  Help me to also be chaste and moral so that I may do what is pleasing to You.

Lord Jesus, there is nothing new here that You have not seen before in this world.  You know this sinful world and You have experienced the incessant cacophony of wickedness that calls us in many directions.  Lord, teach me to do what is right and to help those whom You would have me help.  Guide me into all goodness and lead me according to the way You have established for all.  Amen.   

“Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.  But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:7-8).

Some of these things which Paul is speaking of seem so much like common sense that most folk wonder why he needs to says them.  Look around and you see irresponsibility.  Too many say, “Why do it if there is someone else who will do it?”  But this ought not be so with you.  Do not live irresponsibly, but live doing what the Lord gives you to do.  Know that in Him is goodness and life.

Lord, I do see so many things and I am tempted to live as those who skirt prudence and decency.  You have called me to a better life of preparing to be eternally with You.  Guide me away from the temptations which are common to all.  Lead me into seeing life differently and applying my strength and efforts toward doing what is right.  You know what needs to happen and I thank You for Your help in making it happen.

Thank You Lord Jesus for taking on the responsibility to do all that is needed so that those who believe would be freed to take up their cross and follow You.  Lead me now and always, Lord, in order that I would humbly abide in the truth of all that You have done.  Help me be responsible so that I may be above reproach and a witness of the good You desire for us all.  In You is all hope and an eternal future.  Amen.

“But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives” (1 Timothy 5:6).

If we live for the body, the body is dead already.  Pleasures are fleeting and last for a moment.  But they are merely a reflection of the true pleasure which is in the Lord alone and who is forever.  Why settle for temporary when you can have what you were created for?  Do not look to the world, for they do the same things over and over again.  Look to the Lord who has spoken the Word of Truth.

Lord, temptation is right before me.  You know that I often chose the body over truth.  You know that I cannot resist the little indulgences.  Guide me, O Lord, to look to You in order to receive the greater portion.  Lead me into all truth so that I may now and always live in the reality You have created rather than the indulgences of fleeting moments.  In You is all hope.  Help me dwell with You and in You.

Lord Jesus, hope made flesh, guide me out of the momentary thinking that traps me and lead me into the forever truth You have revealed.  Let me not live amongst the dead as another dead person, but as one who is alive in You.  Guide me this day to move beyond little pleasures that would distract me so that I might live the fulness of life that You give me.  Amen.

“Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day” (1 Timothy 5:5).

Listen to what is being said.  This is an example of, “If one will not work, neither shall they eat.”  On the other hand, if one cannot work, the church has an obligation to help such person.  This is so simple and so ignored in our culture.  We hear, “Everybody deserves,” which promotes people being lazy.  This is an instruction of prudence and we are all asked to find the line in our own lives between lazy and unable.

Lord, You know where I am unable and where I am being lazy.  Help me to fully understand where the line is so that I may be compassionate as You would have me be, but not enable the lazy, perhaps even to their detriment.  Guide me, Lord, to know the difference and what to do.  I need You to do for me what You alone can do, but I know You will teach me what I should do.

Lord Jesus, You said that the way of salvation is narrow.  This is a part of that narrow road.  It is easy to fall off on either side.  Guide me Lord to know which is what.  Send Your Spirit to help me with understanding so that I may know when to ask for healing and when to rebuke.  Teach me to be like You in all things in order that I may grow into the child of the Father You are making me to be.  Help me continue with Your grace, which I always need.  Amen.

“Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God” (1 Timothy 5:3-4).

Listen carefully to this.  Should we care for one another?  Yes we should, but not when there are those in the family who can and should be doing so.  Now look at our culture and what do you see?  It calls for others to do what this passage says the family should do.  Some do, to be sure, but by and large, we are not to rely on the great “we” but take responsibility for our own when it is needed.

Lord, You know where this does or does not apply to me.  Guide me Lord to be responsible where You would have me be responsible, but also to ignore those who would say I need to be responsible when I am not.  Neither guilt nor false obligation should drive my heart, but trust in You, and what You ask me alone to do should be the motivation for what I do.  Guide me in this way, Lord.

Lord Jesus, You did not heal everyone, nor do what so many expected.  You did what the Father told You to do.  In that example, teach me what I should do and then help me to do it.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of true life.  By Your example, help me to be bold, but humble, compassionate, but just, caring, and considerate of all needs.  You are growing Your image in all who believe.  Help me to grow to become like You.  Amen.

“Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity” (1 Timothy 5:1-2).

Our world is filled with hate and continuous demeaning of others.  We want the story we want to be told.  Stand in the truth and begin by treating others with respect and dignity.  And then confront those who need to be confronted.  But also, be willing to be confronted if you are the one who needs it.  As we are willing to give, so also, be willing to receive.  Do all this with pure motive.

Lord, in one sense, these things are easy to do, yet all around me I see that they are not done.  Insofar as it is up to me, let me put these principles into effect.  Lead me to see that You have given grace upon grace, and that should lead me to do the same.  As I want to be respected, help me to respect others.  We each are deserving of respect as those who are loved by You.

Lord Jesus, though chastised for doing so, You did not treat anyone differently.  Whether tax collector, prostitute, or Pharisee, You dealt with each impartially.  In that example, guide me according to Your grace.  Lead me this day to put into practice this example of treating all whom I meet as ones whom You love enough to die for.  But let me also learn to do so in truth.  Amen.

“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).

Listen to this little word of advice, “Pay attention.”  Yes, you have those whom you trust, but there is only one truth and that is Jesus.  Do you hear your teachers teaching Jesus, or is it anything else?  This is important.  Jesus is the center of our faith because He is God and He has made Himself known.  Come through Him alone and be fed by those who teach the same.

Lord, there are lots of befuddled teachers out there who love you (I truly believe), but do not point to You always.  Let me not be amongst their ranks, but instead help me strive to always hold fast to Your Word of Truth.  You have given the Word of Truth; where else can I go?  Lead me, Lord, always and help me learn how to persevere.  Guide me, O Lord, to look to You and to no other for truth.

Lord Jesus, my Lord and God in the flesh, help me to see through all of the obfuscation in this world to hold fast to the truth You have given.  You are Truth and any truth that may be known comes from You.  Lead me in the way of truth so that I would now and always be guided by Your purpose, power, and presence.  Help me to see that in You is all hope and the only future worth living.  Amen.

“Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.  Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all” (1 Timothy 4:14-15).

What is it that the Lord has given you?  How has He equipped you to work in the body of Christ?  Where is the role He has given you to be lived out?  These are things we fit into naturally (or so we think), but the Lord was at work before the foundation of the world.  You already have what the Lord intends to be used in His kingdom and it needs to be unleashed.  You are you and not someone else.  Be whom the Lord is making you to be.

Lord, in this competitive world, I think I need to be like someone else, or else think that I do not have the right stuff.  Lead me to see that I have all that I need.  You have created me to be the unique person in the Body of Christ that I am becoming.  Guide me to continue along the path You have set and to ignore any constant temptations around me to do otherwise.

Lord Jesus, in You there is hope and a future.  You have come to set us free from sin and death in order to be lifted up with You and into You.  Continue to make clear the steps I need to take as You guide me along the path of salvation.  Lead me and help me through all the obstacles that will come my way this day, I pray.  I need the abundance of grace that You have given me to accomplish what You are doing in and through me.  Amen.

“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13).

The “I” here is Paul, but it could just as well be Jesus because this is a good thing for all of us to do at all times and in all places.  Personally too.  Read Scripture, be a diligent learner, and seek understanding.  These things are so simple and yet so many neglect them.  Do not be someone who neglects the spiritual food that you need.  Be guided by the truth of the Lord and grow into the life He offers.

Lord, You know where I have my weaknesses.  Guide me Lord in order that I may grow in the heavenly wisdom You grant through grace.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You is all hope and the eternal future You promise.  Help me to see these things and to value them.  Guide me in Your goodness Lord to pursue what is needed and to be willing to openly receive as You give.

Lord Jesus, You gave Your life so that all who believe might not be left living in the darkness of sinfulness.  Let me not stand on the brink but walk on in Your strength and to where You will lead me.  You know what I need.  Thank You for providing it this day.  In all that is good, help me learn and grow into the life You have set before me.  Take me where I need to go so that every day I would become more like You.  Amen. 

“Prescribe and teach these things.  Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:11-12).

No matter the time in history, arrogance is such that the older think the younger have nothing to contribute.  If the Lord is leading, it doesn’t matter if even a donkey does the speaking.  Do not let your assurance be of what people think, whether they be young or old, but look to the Lord, who is Lord of all.  Be guided by His purpose and power and let the words of your mouth be His words.

Lord, I do worry about what others think without looking to You.  Guide me, Lord, so that I am led by You in the way of everlasting life.  My hope is set upon You, so help me to hold fast to the truth You have revealed once for all in order that I may grow in the likeness of Christ.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go.  Help me to so express myself such that others know that I am Your follower.

Lord Jesus, You are the perfect example of how to conduct oneself.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of good conduct.  Teach me how to be an example by living out what is good, right and salutary.  Show me how to do this so that I do not have to stop to think about it, but just do it.  Lead me to see that in You I can do these things as You grow me into Your likeness.  Let me look to You and to those who believe for any affirmation You may deem appropriate.  Amen.